Open top Bus in Istanbul

[tuppence]

Has anyone used the Open Top Bus around Istanbul? We don't want a full tour with celebrity because we like to decide how long to stop at each place. We wondered if there is enough buses to enable us to hop on and off as we need? Thanks. Only 8 days until we sail :)

[Orator]

Has anyone used the Open Top Bus around Istanbul? We don't want a full tour with celebrity because we like to decide how long to stop at each place. We wondered if there is enough buses to enable us to hop on and off as we need? Thanks. Only 8 days until we sail :)

 

There are two major companies. Both start at the Blue Mosque. We did City Sightseeing and would recommend it. We stayed on the bus and as I remember it took quite some time to complete the circuit. Saw plenty of busses, so that shouldn't be a problem. Istanbul is an interesting city. You also do it without a tour as most sites are close together. You could take the tram from the ship and start at the Grand Bazaar. From there you could walk or take the tram to Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. Cistern are also in that area. You could then walk to the Spice Market, or take the tram. Everything is very close. The tram is very easy to use and inexpensive. You need to get Turkish Lira to use it, but there are ATM machines close to the cruise port.

[CathyCruises]

Really very easy to use the tram, and it took us very close to the Blue Mosque/Hagia Sofia/Topkapi area.

 

We went to the Starbucks across the street from where the ship docks, and used dollars to buy a coffee and get YTL in change--seemed like that was a normal transaction to them. Then back to the middle of the street to the tram stop--really easy. The trams have signs inside which tell you where to get off for each site.

 

It was fun to whiz by the Celebrity buses stuck in traffic!!

[Orator]

Really very easy to use the tram, and it took us very close to the Blue Mosque/Hagia Sofia/Topkapi area.

 

We went to the Starbucks across the street from where the ship docks, and used dollars to buy a coffee and get YTL in change--seemed like that was a normal transaction to them. Then back to the middle of the street to the tram stop--really easy. The trams have signs inside which tell you where to get off for each site.

 

It was fun to whiz by the Celebrity buses stuck in traffic!!

 

Just try to avoid the tram during peak rush hour time. They can get quite crowded and you will be pushed on and packed tight.

[tuppence]

Thanks everyone for tram advice, seems the way to go but one of our party of four has a mobility problem so not sure he would manage if he had to stand in a crowded tram. May have to try a taxi from port to see the sights

[Orator]

Thanks everyone for tram advice, seems the way to go but one of our party of four has a mobility problem so not sure he would manage if he had to stand in a crowded tram. May have to try a taxi from port to see the sights

 

Taxi would work for a group. Really not too far from the port to sites.